I worked as a Congressional intern during the summer of 1967 in Washington, D.C., and what a great experience it was!

Hotel Chambermaid in Berlin or D.C.

I had found a job for myself working as a chambermaid in a hotel in Berlin, where I thought I could hone my German language skills. I just knew I would either be an international correspondent or a Capitol Hill correspondent.

Dad Intervened

But Papa intervened. He’d helped me land the Congressional internship and even set me up to be the roommate of the Congressman’s niece. He said he’d be awfully embarrassed if I turned down the D.C. job to go to Europe, so I caved. But I had two great choices so it was okay!

Congressman Bill Hull

I worked in the office of Congressman Bill Hull, a tobacco farmer turned legislator from Missouri, my home state. I lived with his niece, Mary Lynch, who had her first apartment and was grateful I could share her rent to help with furnishings and decor.

My Job?

I did a lot of filing in the office and did research to answer constituent letters and phone calls. I also took people on tours of the Capitol and made sure the visitors felt welcome. Sometimes I sat in on committee hearings that were of interest to the Congressman and transcribed my notes for him.

Mary Had Grown Up There

Mary had pretty much grown up in the District of Columbia. You see Rep. Hull was a widower, and Mary’s mom, the Congressman’s sister, was a widow. So as both their children grew up they shared a household, which they had recently split up. What was great for me was that Mary knew the District. She also knew lots of people.

Parties, Receptions, Special Lectures

We enjoyed parties with Mary’s friends, as well as receptions and special lectures that were part of the Congressional Internship Program. The embassy receptions I remember especially were the Japanese Embassy and Israeli Embassy. The Israeli Embassy was of special interest because I arrived in Washington at the conclusion of Israel’s victorious six-day war with its Arab neighbors. The special lecture that stands out in my mind was from Senator Ted Kennedy.

But I’m Not Writing About Fun and Adventures

As much as you might like (not) reading about my fun and adventures as a 20 year old in Washington in 1967, I’m writing because of the changes in mobility and access we saw after 9-11 and will see in the future thanks to the insurrection.

Congressional and Senate Dining Rooms

You see, whenever we wanted we could pop into the Congressional and Senate Dining Rooms for lunch and partake amid the great leaders of our time. We could pop onto the subway systems that run between the House and Senate, Capitol rotunda and our office buildings.

Concerts on the Capitol Steps

Mary and I enjoyed many a concert, by military bands, on the steps of the Capitol Building. We were lucky because Mary’s apartment was just six blocks from the Capitol, an easy walk.

Loved It So Much, I Was Tempted to Go Back

I loved my summer experience I was tempted to ditch journalism and go back as a Congressional secretary after graduation. I persuaded myself, though, that I would try to become a Capitol Hill correspondent and actually was on a path to do just that–at the Des Moines Tribune–when marriage entered the picture. I followed my husband then as he built his career and I found newspaper or public relations jobs wherever we landed. Later, I went into higher education.

But the Bug Is Still There

While I’m too old to do it now, the bug is still there. I’ve had several students who’ve become Washington correspondents, so that’s enough for now.

Security, Security, Security

The sad things, though, now will. be security. It already was heightened after 9-11, and I’m sure things will be tougher in the future. The Capitol won’t be the same after the insurrection of last week, and, frankly, neither will we.